From The Beatles to Queen, Metallica to Michael Jackson, Symphonic Pops will feature your favourite pop music in symphonic form. Complimenting the orchestra will be an all-star band comprised of some of Canada’s finest musicians, and a roster of fantastic soloists.
Tickets are selling fast! This concert will sell out. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment at the box office on concert night. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.
SOLOISTS
Alicia Ault – Vocals
Hailing from Toronto Canada, Alicia Ault is an actor and singer with a passion for musical theatre, opera, and jazz music.
Select theatre credits: Xiao Lian in Dragon’s Tale (Tapestry Opera); Time Traveler in Backstage At Carnegie Hall (Bradyworks); Betsy Miller in The Roaring Twenties (Victoria Petrolia Playhouse); Cindy in Hook Up (Tapestry Opera/Theatre Passe Muraille); Maria in West Side Story (Brott Music Festival); Amalia in She Loves Me (Eastman Opera Theatre).
Select concert credits: Box Concerts (Tapestry Opera); A Christmas Spectacular (Burlington Symphony Orchestra); A Merry Little Christmas (Mississauga Symphony Orchestra)
Upcoming: Jia in In Real Life (Musical Stage Company/Canadian Stage)
Alicia is a member of the vocal trio, The Ault Sisters. They are featured on all 6 Seasons of VisionTV’s hit show Your All Time Classic Hit Parade, which airs across Canada.
Alicia is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Much love to her family, friends, and the Talent House for their unwavering love and support!
Marina Salis – Vocals
Marina is absolutely thrilled to once again be under the baton of Maestro Mastromonaco.
At the age of 26, Marina has developed her triple threat skill set over the past 20 years, bringing her passion of music, dance, and acting across the globe. Some of her most notable performances include playing The Baker’s Wife at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival’s production of Into the Woods, and Mimi in RENT with Hamilton Theatre Inc.
Aside from her passion for music, Marina pursues her second passion as a biomedical ethicist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, specializing in mental health and substance use ethics.
Though her powerful voice speaks for itself, Marina owes much of her gratitude to her vocal coach, Jennifer Tung, who has nurtured and helped grow her talent and artistry over many years.
Marina would like to thank the Maestro and the Orchestra for the opportunity to perform with them and is excited to bring you some familiar hits.
Keith Javier – Vocals
Keith has been seen over the past 20 years rocking stages across Toronto with shows at The Opera House, Rivoli and El Mocambo, and has also sung the Canadian and American national anthems at the Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays.
As the vocalist for band Melodious Vibes, he’s performed for private and public events throughout Southern Ontario including Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada’s Friday Night Jazz series. Whether it’s jazz, R&B or top 40, Keith’s versatile, smooth and soulful vocal style is sure to please any crowd.
Paul Weston – Soprano Saxophone
Paul Weston started making music at the age of seven on the violin, and added clarinet when he was 11. At 16, he joined the Royal Marines Band Service and spent the next 26 years making music around the world. Retiring as a Major and Director of Music in 2005, he immigrated to Canada, where he has continued to perform on violin, viola, clarinet, saxophone and contrabass, as well as guest conducting numerous ensembles across the country.
An International #1 Best Selling Author, Paul spends much of his professional time guest speaking and advising organizations on how best to create Time Freedom for their teams. A passionate triathlete, he is a six-time Ironman finisher and All World Athlete, and has competed for Canada at several Triathlon Age Group World Championships.
THE BAND
Drago “Dan” Fila – Drums
In 1992, Varga signed a worldwide deal with BMG records and went on to sell 200K units in Europe, Japan, the UK, Australia, the US, the Netherlands, and Canada. Varga was nominated for a Juno Award in 1995 for “Hard Rock Album of the Year”.
Highlights with Varga included opening/touring with Metallica, White Zombie, Prong, Crowbar, Ugly Kid Joe, and Type O Negative throughout North America. Varga was a regular fixture on the Headbanger’s Ball and featured on Beavis and Butthead.
In 2017, Dan joined forces with former BMG label mates Sven Gali. Sven Gali has toured with Def Leppard, Pearl Jam, Bush, April Wine, and Foreigner to name a few. Sven Gali’s debut album went Gold in Canada,and the band has sold over 500K units worldwide.
Dan has been a teacher with the Halton District School Board for 24 years and has earned his Principal’s Qualifications. At the HDSB, Dan created, and wrote the first fully online music composition course in Canada in 2004. Dan used his extensive studio experience and passion for music to create this groundbreaking program which is still being offered in the HDSB today.
Dan is sponsored by Pearl drums, and Paiste cymbals.
Denis Rondeau – Electric Bass
Denis Rondeau is a free-lance bassist who works around the province of Ontario in many genres. He is currently involved with many groups including the Burlington Symphony, Brantford Symphony, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Cambridge Symphony, Grass Tax (bluegrass), and a variety of jazz and blues ensembles. He also leads his own jazz ensemble under the title “Just Friends” with a jazz album released in 2020.
From 1995-2016 Denis Rondeau played in the house band with drummer Mike Fitzpatrick (Downchild Blues Band) at Poor Folks Deli and the Liquid Lounge where he backed up many top blues artists. While playing in the R&B band Midnite Hour from 1990-2000 he had the chance to back up pop musicians including Peter Noonan and Pete Best.
Denis has a passion for teaching as well. He taught music at the W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind for 33 years. In 2008 he won the Cheryl Barry Award for Leadership in teaching at the Provincial level.
Carmen Spada – Keyboards
Carmen Spada graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music, in Boston, MA, obtaining a dual major in Piano Performance and Jazz Composition.
Though firmly rooted in jazz and world music, Carmen has enjoyed pursuing and establishing his solo career in a unique jazz crossover to pop niche, due to his success as a songwriter.
A highly respected educator, Carmen conducts various clinics and masterclasses at secondary schools in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as boasts successful in-person and live, online private teaching studios, with an emphasis on contemporary improvisation, harmony, composition, ear training and songwriting. He is also well known for his abilities playing accordion and amongst his generation, Carmen boasts the exceptionally rare combination of the knowledge of classical Italian folk styles and dialects spanning Italy.
In 2017, Carmen co-founded B-Jazzed, a non-for-profit organization curating performances, education series, and philanthropy of jazz music and its musicians in the city of Brampton. He currently serves as its Artistic Director, and B-Jazzed has become the largest curator of live music in Brampton, presenting more than 100 performances annually.
Carmen also created and programs the annual World of Jazz Festival in Downtown Brampton, a two-day festival hosting two stages and over 120 musicians highlighting the diversity and multicultural interpretations of jazz music. The World of Jazz Festival was recognized as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals in 2022 by Festivals and Events Ontario.
Kirt Godwin – Electric Guitar & Vocals
Juno nominated Kirt Godwin is a professional guitarist and vocalist from Mississauga, Ontario. Kirt has fronted bands such as Ride The Tiger, Trophy, and The Matte Black Finish. He has played guitar and been a vocalist with Sate, The Reklaws, Our Lady Peace, Tom Barlow, Ed Sheeran, Nate Haller, The North, Miss Emily, and Horshack, just to name a few.
In 2003, Kirt was nominated for a Juno on Sate’s second album release titled, The Fool.
Allan De Lara – Saxophone
Allan de Lara is a multifaceted musician and dedicated a music educator.
Allan is the Music Director and Conductor for the Philippine Heritage Band where he performs in various parades, concerts, and festivals. He teaches and develops the skills of new and current band members.
In 1995, Allan founded the band Melodious Vibes. He and his fellow musicians continue to captivate audiences with their eclectic music styles at corporate events, private functions, and venues throughout Toronto and Ontario.
Allan pursued postsecondary education at Humber College, majoring in woodwinds and graduating in 2000 with a focus on Jazz Performance and Commercial music.
In 2003, Allan’s passion for music education and performance continued to flourish, as Music Director, Conductor, and Teacher at The Academy for Gifted Children P.A.C.E. He connects with students of all ages and various levels of experience, ensuring a transformative and enriching musical experience for P.A.C.E. students and community.
